1
2
as in chooses
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
set a date for the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in values
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding
fire losses were set at a million dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in decides
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
finally set some plans for the luncheon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in secures
to put securely in place or in a desired position
had the jeweler set the diamond again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gels
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gelatin is just starting to set now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set a book on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in freezes
to become physically firm or solid
the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in packs
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
a set of tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in types
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in decors
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production
built sets for the play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Recent Examples of sets
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The agreement with Cambodia sets the reciprocal tariff rate for most goods at 19 percent.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
What sets Lipizzans apart, Langdale emphasized, is their demanding personality and remarkable longevity.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Forecasters said that sets Jamaica up to be battered for days — far beyond the daylong impacts of the storm’s eye.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
At the pinnacle of this experience is the Sultan Suite, an opulent retreat that sets a high standard for indulgence.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Put simply, Perplexity sets the standard for AI web search.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
Here's what sets the massive store apart from the rest.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The project sets spiritual-minded songs comfortably alongside songs of everyday life and life-altering decisions.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
McVay’s offense was both explosive and productive, and NFL owners quickly saw that using so many three-receiver sets benefited the executives who built their teams.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Then, a month after Sheen settled in, a typhoon destroyed over half of the sets created for the film, causing production to halt once again.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Other figures include handmade chess sets, religious figurines like the Virgin of Guadalupe and skulls made to resemble calaveras, or sugar skulls, which are a symbol tied to Day of the Dead.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Those are skill-sets that Chicago could use.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
But, the 57-year-old attempted to put a stop to fan speculation over his sets.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Some of these larger sets feature varied types of glasses, such as a few red wine glasses and a few white wine glasses.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
From sleek and silky cooling quilts to vintage-style sets complete with matching shams, these cooling bedding finds are ideal for every season and every budget.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
This detail sets the stage for potential conflict upon Morgan's return, particularly raising the possibility of unfinished business and a future feud with Roxanne Perez over her spot in the faction.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
The agreement with Cambodia sets the reciprocal tariff rate for most goods at 19 percent.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
What sets Lipizzans apart, Langdale emphasized, is their demanding personality and remarkable longevity.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Forecasters said that sets Jamaica up to be battered for days — far beyond the daylong impacts of the storm’s eye.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
At the pinnacle of this experience is the Sultan Suite, an opulent retreat that sets a high standard for indulgence.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
Put simply, Perplexity sets the standard for AI web search.
—PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2025
Here's what sets the massive store apart from the rest.
—Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 20 Oct. 2025
The project sets spiritual-minded songs comfortably alongside songs of everyday life and life-altering decisions.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 20 Oct. 2025
Noun
This year’s Harvest Moon concert also featured sets from Beck, John Mayer, and Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2025
McVay’s offense was both explosive and productive, and NFL owners quickly saw that using so many three-receiver sets benefited the executives who built their teams.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Then, a month after Sheen settled in, a typhoon destroyed over half of the sets created for the film, causing production to halt once again.
—Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Other figures include handmade chess sets, religious figurines like the Virgin of Guadalupe and skulls made to resemble calaveras, or sugar skulls, which are a symbol tied to Day of the Dead.
—Alyssa N. Salcedo, jsonline.com, 25 Oct. 2025
Those are skill-sets that Chicago could use.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025
But, the 57-year-old attempted to put a stop to fan speculation over his sets.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025
Some of these larger sets feature varied types of glasses, such as a few red wine glasses and a few white wine glasses.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2025
From sleek and silky cooling quilts to vintage-style sets complete with matching shams, these cooling bedding finds are ideal for every season and every budget.
—Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
-
Koch’s vile conduct spawns a number of unnecessary fantasy sequences either brought on by the comics or wholly imagined by Ed.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
4 Oct. 2025
-
Corteva, a stronghold seed and pesticide provider in the Indiana agriculture space, will be no more next year as the northwest side company rebrands and spawns its seed business.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Zuriguel chooses a spot on the corner where the crowd is denser.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
-
God chooses the pope, not cardinals, my barista says.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Only someone who values those titles extremely highly.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
-
This is a team that truly values creative collaboration and takes big swings.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Despite being in just his eighth season in Toronto, Tavares already sits 13th in franchise history in goals.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Brown is running against Redford for the Zone 3 seat, which sits generally east of Eagle Road and south of Chinden on the Meridian-Boise border.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the Gulf, this demand has manifested as aspirational and rare goods, which DarGlobal’s co-branded product aims to deliver.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
29 Oct. 2025
-
The project aims to build a research base on the Moon for use by participating countries by the early 2030s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Orpheus, unwilling to have anything to do with women again, chooses to become a swan in his next life, while a swan decides to become a man.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Lawmakers will receive a 48-hour notice if the speaker changes his mind and decides to bring them back to vote.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Its corner ties secures it to your duvet cover and the box stitching ensures the filling stays evenly distributed throughout.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The platform secures customer models and data for exclusive use, making sure sensitive information stays within the company.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That will be especially difficult given that Ruby tends to push aside anything that puts her in a negative light.—
Alamin Yohannes,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Oct. 2025
-
While the dry upland habitat loss puts stress on swamp rabbit populations, the loss and drainage of wetlands also poses a challenge for the struggling rabbits.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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